'OM' (standard:Fan Fiction, 1855 words)
Author: Juggernaut	Added: Nov 18 2012	Views/Reads: 3229/2201	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
On a fictional talk show 'OM' the talk show host SIR interviews Chinnammma a devotional singer.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story


“Yes, the same Annamayya,  the great devotional singer of 15th 

century who dedicated his long life of 95 years to the devotion of Lord 

Venketeswara, the beloved god for all South Indians and some from 

North. In my vision, I saw Annamayya singing keertans with his hands 

inviting me to join him. I woke up confused and yet felt blessed. 

While growing up, I sang Annamayya keertans at home and everybody said 

I have a great soothing voice and ability to engage people when I speak 

but I never took seriously but after vision of Annamayya personally 

inviting me to sing his keertans, I could not resist but start singing 

few keertans I learned long time ago.  My roommates at the campus 

thought I was crazy. I was signing while doing chores, driving and even 

in the class I was humming to myself.  It was no doubt a calling from 

saint Annamayya, otherwise there I was attending a college in 

Tennessee, why and how I would be singing his keertans all of a sudden, 

I am sure I was not crazy.  So, I spoke to my parents on coming back 

home.  They were happy since I am only daughter and they don't want me 

living abroad anyway. But my family was in shock when I told them about 

saint Annamayya vision; they thought I am going through some period of 

confusion due to loneliness from living abroad away from the family. 

But after listening to me singing all the time the keertans they 

believed that I was truly had a calling and blessings of saint 

Annamayya.” 

“It is fascinating imagine there you were in America, attending 

a college, got a vision and all of a sudden you started singing 

keertans of Annamayya written over 500 years ago. It is a miracle,” Sir 

appeared very excited with his hand still clasped as if locked up in 

front of his face and begging Chinnamma to continue. 

“Then I started doing research on Annamayya and his life.  He 

wrote over 35,000 keertans, all of them in devotion to God particularly 

Lord Venketeswara, each keertan or devotional song is very short only 

few lines.  He wrote in colloquial language, no fancy or difficult 

words to pronounce. His songs were about morality, truthfulness, 

dedication, romance and even light erotica.” 

Sir jumped from his seat and pushed himself forward towards the 

guest. “No, you say erotica?” 

“Yes, some of his songs have a feeling of very light erotica. 

By today's standard, his lyrics were not qualified as erotica but if 

one sings with a voice and feels the way the lyrics intended, I am sure 

the listeners understand it is a step above simple romance.” 

“I couldn't imagine a person like Annamayya can write even a 

light hearted erotica,” Sir wants to stay on this subject little longer.


“Very few people now that Annamayya over 500 years ago, coming 

from an orthodox Brahmin family of poets had two wives at the same 

time. While it may sound odd that tells that Annamayya was a romantic 

man and that reflects in his songs.” 

“Are you trained as a singer either in classical music or 

devotional singing?” 

“No, I have no formal training in vocals either classical or 

otherwise, I just sing from my heart.” 

“I understand that you charge a hefty fee for your program or 

event or show or whatever you call it, may I ask how much you charge 

for each event?” 

“My goal is to sing Annamayya keertans and interpret the 

meaning to common folks.  Remember, Annamayya wrote over 35,000 short 

songs on a wide variety of subjects, though written over 500 years ago, 

each one of them has present day relevance.” 

“Lack of better word, your show attracts thousands of people 

and it costs lot of money for lights, sound and other equipment and 

rental for the venue etc., how you pay the expenses?” 

“I don't collect any money directly from my audience.  The 

organizers would collect and pay all the expenses and whatever left 

goes to my non-profit charity.” 

“I understand that you live in a better part of the city in a 

lavish home and travel in expensive cars, how this reflects your work 

as a devotional singer that interprets the works of Saint Annamayya?” 

“It reflects very well. Living and enjoying good life was the 

motto of keertans, Saint Annamayya wrote these keertans in devotion to 

god for happiness, fulfillment and wealth. By interpreting his works, I 

am enjoying good life. There was nothing sinister about it. Have you 

seen the evangelists on TV in America, they look so rich and live 

lavish life styles, the God in a way providng all that.” 

“Some of your distracters says you were not spiritual enough or 

has classical background to sing Annamayya keertans and it is all 

business  to cash on Annamayya while his descendents were living in 

poor,?” now Sir was slowly drawing Chinnamma into an arena where he was 

good at. 

“Not at all, there are scores of devotional singers and some of 

them could be envious of my success in attracting large crowds in my 

events.  How anybody can measure spirituality in a person?” 

“I am not sure but living a simple life and travelling without 

a large entourage in expensive vehicles could be a measure.” 

“I don't see the connection. I did not come from traditional 

families that send their children to learn Sanskrit to study Hindu 

scriptures to earn their livelihood in religious order.  When Annamayya 

composed the keertans in easily understandable verses, he has in mind 

precisely what I am doing now, to go the masses and interpret his 

thoughts. One does not need to know Sanskrit or Hindu scriptures to 

carry out his work. Through his keertans he preached fairness; maintain 

high moral values, be kind to all social classes including the lowest 

of the low caste people.” 

“Since you lived in America have heard about Tammi and Tim 

Bakker?” 

“Yes, I watched their show few times.” 

“Have you fashioned your show based on their show, singing 

Lord's message for profit.” 

“I would not say I copied their concept, remember I had a 

vision.” 

“I know you had a vision of Annamayya inviting you to sing his 

songs and interpret to the people, but the way your events were 

conducted has some resemblance to Tammi Bakker show, I have a feeling 

that after watching her and other women preacher in US, you got this 

idea of singing Annamayya keertans as a business model.  After all, 

there were scores of singers over the last 500 years who sang his music 

and even now there are singers that specialize in Annamayya's keertans 

but none attract the kind of crowds you do.  For one thing, the 

keertans of Annamayya are easy to sing and do not need years of 

training in singing, the songs were very short to remember.” 

“Well, I agree I attract more people than anybody in this 

business.” 

“So you agree it is a business,” Sir appeared as if he won the 

verbal battle. 

“The way how my events are conducted requires business plan, in 

that sense, yes it is a business.” 

What is your plan for the future?” 

“I want to build a theme park celebrating the life and works of 

Saint Annamayya. At an interactive center, all the keertans can be 

heard from Annamayya featured in different costumes. There will be 

rides taking through various stages of his life like in Disney Land for 

fun.  Streets reflecting 500 year old architecture with gift stores and 

restaurants give the visitors a sense of travel back to 500 years ago. 

People will have fun and at the same time appreciate the work of 

Annamayya. Though people were singing his keertans for centuries nobody 

interpreted his music to the present day relevance as I do.  Since my 

family is in movie industry, they can help build a theme park,” 

Chinnamma got all excited.” 

“you mean like Disney Land started by legendary Walt Disney or 

Grace Land after Elvis Presley or Dollywood after Dolly Parton, a great 

American country singer or Tammy and Tim Bakker's PTL Club.” 

“Along the same lines but on a smaller scale.” 

“What would be the name for such a theme park celebrating the 

life of Saint Annamayya?” 

“I didn't think that far yet but certainly it reflects his 

life.” 

“Since we are coming to end of the program, would you sing a 

nice Annamayya's keertan for our audience, say a light romantic if not 

light erotica?” 

“Certainly but this keertan is all about devotion to god, 

Annamayya's music belongs to everybody not for a chosen learned few. 

Chinnamma started singing a beautiful Annamayya keertan with her 

melodious voice,” 

Adivo alladivo sri harivaasamu 

Padivela seshula padagala mayamu 


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